World Record Holder Sammy Wanjiru to Race Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Half
‘08 Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist Chooses New Orleans for U.S. Half-Marathon Debut

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Posted Friday, 29 January, 2010

New Orleans, LA – January 28, 2010 – Half Marathon World Record holder and 2008 Olympic Marathon gold medalist, Sammy Wanjiru announced today he will run his first half-marathon in the U.S. at the inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon on February 28, 2010.

“I’m very happy to be part of the first Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon in New Orleans,” said Wanjiru, a distance where he first set the world record in 2005, then lowered it to the current mark of 58:33 in 2007. “The race is perfect timing in my build up to the London Marathon, I know it will be very competitive and should be very fast. I’m coming to do my best and hope for a great performance.”

The first Kenyan to win an Olympic Gold Medal, Wanjiru, 22, boasts an impressive running resume for a relatively short career. His lists of global achievements include two victories at the London Marathon and he was recently crowned 2008-2009 World Marathon Majors champion in November, earning a $500,000 bonus. He owns the fastest marathon time ever recorded in the U.S., winning the last fall’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon in 2:05:41. New Orleans’ flat course could produce a blazing time and a potential attempt to better his world record.

“Attracting Sammy Wanjiru to New Orleans is a huge coup for the Competitor Group and it shows our commitment to attracting the biggest names in the world of running,” said Matt Turnbull, Elite Athlete Coordinator. “We’re excited to have the world record holder and Olympic Gold medalist on the start line next month. We are still working hard and hope to bring in more big names and to challenge Sammy over the half-marathon distance.”

It was originally planned that Wanjiru would take on Ryan Hall over the 13.1-mile course, but he has unfortunately been forced to pull out of the head-to-head encounter.

“We are obviously disappointed to lose Ryan Hall from the field,” added Turnbull, who had hoped to pair the American and World Record holders in New Orleans. “We respect his decision to focus on getting himself in shape for the Boston Marathon, it was obvious to see he was disappointed with how things went in Arizona, and so we wish him well over the next few months.”

For more information on the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras or to register online, please visit mardi-gras.competitor.com or call (800) 311-1255.

About Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras
The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon & ½ Marathon will take place on February 28, 2010, the eleventh event in the national series of musically themed marathons and half-marathons. Event weekend will kickoff February 26, with a two-day Health & Fitness Expo where all participants pick up their race packets. The expo will feature more than one hundred running and fitness retailers, exhibits and interactive clinics. Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras runners and walkers will be treated to a post-race concert after the event featuring Sister Hazel and Cowboy Mouth. All participants and volunteers receive free entry to the concert. For more information, please visit mardi-gras.competitor.com.

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